As the British & Irish Lions prepare to embark on the next chapter in their storied history, the World Rugby Museum has laid on a special exhibition to remember the heroes and highlights that have defined the world’s greatest touring side.
Nestled in the heart of Allianz Stadium, the newly opened Lions exhibition includes details and memorabilia from every stage of the story, from the Shaw and Shrewsbury Team of 1888 to the brutal battles in South Africa from 2021.
World Rugby Museum curator Phil McGowan is the man chiefly responsible for the exciting new display and after 12 months of reaching out to players and endless research, he is delighted to welcome fans to a one-of-a-kind experience.
“We did a Lions exhibition back in 2006, so it’s safe to say we were overdue another one,” said McGowan.
Introducing ‘The History of the British & Irish Lions’ 🦁
The World Rugby Museum’s new dedicated special exhibition will tell the story of the world’s most famous and prestigious touring side 🏉🏆
Visit this exciting new exhibition at the World Rugby Museum from 08.11.24 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/KMd3GeRKlN
— World Rugby Museum (@wrugbymuseum) October 31, 2024
“The rarest and most unique object in this exhibition is the material from the first Tour in 1888 which includes a Lions jersey in very good condition for its age.
“That was donated by the family of Alfred Peter Penketh, the only player to have played for The Lions from the Isle of Man.
“At the opposite end of the chronology, we’ve got Maro Itoje’s jersey from the 2017 Test and the stuffed toy he was a keeper of during that Tour.”
The Lions were known as the tourists for many years and the players lived up to their moniker, filming videos, collecting scrapbooks and building photo albums, much of which has been used to populate the exhibition today.
Unity in every thread 🪡
The new 2025 British & Irish Lions jersey: available now ⬇️🦁
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) November 6, 2024
Fans are advised to book their visit quickly, with McGowan already planning his next show and with anticipation building for Australia 2025, his message is clear: “If you want to see it, come and see it now.”
Lions chairman Ieuan Evans was among those in attendance to mark the opening of the exhibit and stressed the significance of celebrating the Lions’ unique history and heritage.
“Our past is something to shout about, it’s something for future generations to enjoy and benefit from as well,” said three-time tourist Evans.
“Elite sport is about creating moments and enjoying them because they’re all too fleeting.
“Those moments become memories and having those memories here for other people to be inspired by is really important.”
Evans regards touring with the Lions as the peak of his international career and wandering around the exhibition, the emotions came flooding back.
“So many warm, warm memories,” he said. “There is some euphoria but also sadness because we’ve lost people and many of the Lions I toured with are sadly no longer with us.
Fixture schedule announced 🙌
Our fixtures for the 2025 Tour of Australia have been confirmed 🇦🇺
For the full schedule and more details visit our website ⤵️
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 19, 2023
“I’m quite fortunate I won two series, but I lost a series, and the one I lost still rankles, but overwhelmingly, walking around the emotions are of real joy, satisfaction and warmth.”
A crowd of guests rushed to form around particular plaque with the year bolded at the top reading ‘1974.’
Fifty years have passed since Willie John McBride’s Invincibles conquered South Africa and RFU President Rob Udwin – who was just 15 years old at the time – holds vivid memories of that team which over the course of an unforgettable summer, established the Lions as sporting royalty.
“The Tour which really caught my imagination was the ‘74 Tour when these Gods arrived on our island,” said native South African Udwin.
Every Lions team is special, but only one from the last century can claim to be invincible.
This is the 1974 Lions side, led by Willie John McBride, that played 22, won 21, drew 1, and lost 0 in South Africa.
It’s a journey that started #OnThisDay, May 15, with an opening… pic.twitter.com/Ih4eoaljcV
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 15, 2024
“I had the pleasure of watching that team seven times, with one game entailing a four-and-a-half-hour school trip for the game against the Orange Free State just to watch the Lions.
“We’ve never seen players like those who came over for that Tour. That team is most responsible for my lifelong obsession with the sport.”
The Lions exhibition wasn’t the only new show in town, with a corner of the museum dedicated to the history of the Wallabies.
A week prior to the unveiling of the Lions jersey for the 2025 Tour, Australia revealed their version featuring artwork by Indigenous Wallaby Dylan Pietsch, who starts against England in the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday.
Wallabies vs. British & Irish Lions 2025 Tour Jersey
First Nations artwork by Dylan Pietsch, proud Wiradjuri man & Wallaby No. 978.
The artwork tells a story of connection to culture and country, highlighting the many forms of connection within Australia through its people,… pic.twitter.com/1VhZ9rCdp2
— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 28, 2024
Michael Fahey is the author of the History of the Wallabies Jersey and revealed that it’s the Lions who showed Australians the true meaning of a jersey.
“I was at the Gabba for the first Test in 2001 and it was a big turning point,” he recalled.
“We walked into the ground and two thirds of it was red. I went, ‘oh my God, it’s an away game.’
“Our tradition was you never wore a Wallaby jersey unless you earned it, but because of the supporter base the Lions brought, we realized we had to wear the colours.”
Which stars emerge in Australia next summer remains to be seen, but there is almost certainly a space waiting for them in the next Lions exhibit at the World Rugby Museum.
“I want to thank the World Rugby Museum for including the world here because it’s admirable that they support rugby around the globe,” Fahey added.
“The Lions will certainly help raise the profile of the game in Australia next summer. They are as important to the nations they tour as the nations they represent.”
